NEW LEAF (Legolas FF) | ✔️

Chapter 2: Different Paths

LEGOLAS

I did not know what to feel about the news. It has been long since I had even spoken to Turwaithiel. Of course, I had no idea she would leave. It seemed unreal for the most part, my mind seemed to be refusing to accept it. I glanced over at Mantheniel who did not seem as surprised or worried as I expected her to be. In fact, she seemed calm about it.

"It was bound to happen sooner or later, Lord Elrond." She said sympathetically as she approached him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Out of the entrance emerged Aragorn, looking more mature than his age.

"Mantheniel! Legolas! You had come!" He exclaims as he ran down the stairs to give Mantheniel a hug. Following him was Arwen, she smiled upon our arrival as she descended the stairs to clasp hands with Mantheniel in greeting. I merely gave them a short bow.

"She could have done it in broad daylight!" Lord Elrond seemed frustrated as we entered his house.

"Instead, she left during the night. Like a thief in the shadows." Wrinkles had formed on  his forehead as we stopped inside the circular room where he usually held feast were people would just sing and tell stories. A fire was burning in the hearth and I stared at it, feeling like an intruder to such a private affair. Arwen had not entered with us as I noticed her slip away with a long look at Aragorn, who had looked at her like how father would look at Mantheniel. I had often wondered what that look meant but it seemed to carry something heavy.

"She had planned it well, I suppose. It just goes to show how determined she is." Mantheniel explains. She seemed completely unaffected by all of it, it was rather suspicious. Elrond lets out a sigh before falling into his chair. Lindir stood by the door, his expression seemed to be bordering a nervous breakdown.

"Ah. Now is not the time, I suppose. Today is for Aragorn. Today is for your return as well, tell me how is Mirkwood? Is Thranduil alright? Do not get me wrong but I had not expected him to let you out of his sight," his eyes travel over to Mantheniel, his features soft before they landed on me, "more so you." He raised an eyebrow as if suspecting something but quickly dismissed his thoughts as he focuses on a pile of parchment paper before him.

"There will be a feast tonight, it would be great if both of you attend. It is for Aragorn after all." He gets up from the chair, walking to the hearth. His eyes reflected the burning embers as he lost himself in his thoughts, dismissing us. When we left and found ourselves in the halls I notice a shift in Mantheniel's behaviour. Her shoulders sunk in relief as she walked beside me.

"Well, that went well." There was a note of disinterest in her voice as we ventured the many halls with Aragorn trailing behind us.

"I saw her leave." His voice was barely there as Mantheniel seemed to stop and look at him with confusion. I stopped too, although I had no clue on why or what I should do if ever I get information of her whereabouts. Something inside me was urging me to follow her, while a voice in the back of my head said 'she does not want you to.' I sighed inwardly as Aragorn looked about our surroundings.

"Where? When?" The urgency in Mantheniel's voice surprised me since she had not seemed so caring about it when we were with Lord Elrond. Aragorn seemed to hesitate a moment, his eyes refusing to focus on us.

"Lord Elrond does not know you saw her?" Mantheniel asked softly, a kind expression on her face. I found myself glancing at corners too. Aragorn shook his head slightly before finally meeting her gaze.

"I had not known, if I had I would have alerted the guards or Lord Elrond." He explains and I actually felt a little sad for him. For one so young, he was quite determined to prove his nobility in all things. My father had been right, of course and he would be right to say Aragorn would grow up to be a noble man. I could not help but smile at him then as he confessed to our open ears. Mantheniel seemed to digest the news quickly with occasional nods of understanding as her brows furrowed.